'I wanted to know how much £5,100 cash Isa had grown - Halifax said it was empty'

Mrs A. K. writes: In
2011, after my husband
passed away, I met a
Halifax adviser as I
wanted to sort out my
financial affairs. As a
result, I invested £5,100
in a cash Isa.

One year
later, I asked what my
Isa was now worth, only
to be told that it held
no money at all. I
produced my certificate
for £5,100 and was told
the matter would be
investigated.

I was told
several times that I
would be contacted or
called back, but nothing
happened. Finally I was
told my £5,100 seemed
to be lumped with
unclaimed money in an
account with no
customers’ names
attached.

The caller
thought it could be
sorted out in a week,
but that was three
months ago and now
I have received a
statement showing my
Isa balance as nil.

I asked officials at
Halifax head office to
step in and investigate.
They soon found your
missing money, but
were unable to say why
it had not been properly
invested in 2011.

More...

They have credited
your Isa with the best
rate of interest that was
available in 2011 and
then with the best rate
for 2012 as well. This
means your savings
have grown by a
tax-free £260.

On top
of this, a Halifax
spokesman told me:
‘In recognition of the
distress, inconvenience
and any costs Mrs K
incurred in trying to
resolve the matter,
we have credited her
Everyday Saver
account with £150.’

And by the time you
read this, you will
also have received a
written apology.